Brake-beam.



E. C. MCDOWELL- BRAKE BEAM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I5 I9I6.

Patentd Apr. 17

o umo'. WASHING ml". 1: c.

BRAKE-BEAM.

Application filed June 15, 1916.

To all whom di may concern:

Be it known that I, Em'vann CAMPBELL Mcll mvnm, a citizen of the UnitedStates of rrmerica, residing at Hamilton, in the Province of Ontario,Dominion of Canada, have invented ce tain new and useful Improvements inBrake-Beams, of which the following is the specification.

'llhis invention relates to improvements in brake herons andparticularly to those of the type having a compression member, atensioning member and a strut between the same. The general object ofthe invention is to improve and simplify the construction of the deviceand better adapt it to the functions required of it.

More specific objects are to reduce the axial moments about the end ofthe beam to a minimum and to enable it to be absorbed quickly aspossible. A further obj ct iermit apart and put together and which willpermit the bearing or wearing surfaces to be readily liar ned by anysuitable process. find a still further object is to provide an improvedform of connectin member between the compression and tensioning memberswhich while transmitting thrust will reduce the turning moment to aminimum.

The invention consists essentially of the improved construction herewithdescribed in the copy of the specification and accompanying drawings.

.ln the drawing,

Figure l is a plan view, broken interme diate ot its length and showingthe improved brake beam assembled.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the connection between thecompression and tensioning members of the beam.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the fulcrum strut.

Fig. & is an end elevation, partly sectional, of the member connectingthe compression and tensioning members of the brake beam.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawing, A represents the improved brake beamcomprising the compression member 10 provided intermediate of its lengthwith a notch 11 and having its ends gradually increasing as shown at 12to form suitable shoulders 18 with the is to provide a constructionwhich will the elements to be readily taken Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Apr. it, 191?.

Serial No. 103,825.

trunnions 1% on which the brake heads are mounted.

The compression member is operatively connected to the tensioning member15 which is substantially l -shaped having its ends 16 upset to developthe full section of the member, the said ends being bent or oilset anddesigned to make threaded engagement with the nut 17.

The tensioning member 15 is secured to the compression member 10 bysuitable brackets 18 of angle shape having orifices 19 and 20 throughthe ends thereof arranged in substantially parallel relation, the firstsaid orifice engaging the trunnion l i while the latter engages theoffset end oi the tensioning member.

The tensioning and compression members 15 and 10 are braced at the centr by the strut 21, one end of which is formed with an orifice 22engaging the member 15 intermediate of the length thereof, while theother end 23 is bifurcated and designed to be sprung into engagementwith the compression member 10 to which it is secured by the rivet 2lengaging with the notch 11.

In assembling the brake beam the orifice 22 of the strut 21 is engagedwith the tensioniug member 15 and the bifurcated end 23 of the strut issprung into engagement with. the center portion of the compression member 10. lhe brackets 18 are then placed in position so that the orifice19 engages with the trunnion 145 and the orifice 90 engages with theupset and oflset ends 16 of the tensioning member 15, whereupon the nuts17 are threaded on the said ends and tightened into position. The rivet:24: is now passed through the bifurcated end 23 of the strut 21 andengaged with the notch 11 in the compression member 10. This notch 11,it will be observed, prevents displacement of the strut with respect tothe compression mem her and also prevents turning of the compressionmember.

It will be appreciated that the curving of the ends of the tensioningmember serves to bring the intersection of the projected center of theprimary direction of the tensioning member with the center of thecompression member considerably inside the center of the trunnion l lthrough which the braking power of the beam is applied to the wheels.

The aforesaid upsetting off these curved ends of the tensioning memberalso serves to increase, to a marked degree, the resistance againststraightening out inside of the strength for which the beam would bedesigned.

It will also be noted the end of the tensioning member is increased inthickness and turned parallel to the compression member only aneconomical form of construction but also one of great strength andsimplicity. The brakes may be placed directly on the projecting ends ofthe trunnions.

hat I claim as my invention is:

1. In a brake beam and in combination, a compression member havingintegral bearing trunnions, a shoulder on the inner end of thetrunnions, a tensioning member and connecting member engaging thetrunnions and the tensioning member and a strut extending between thecompression and tensioning members.

2. In a brake beam and in combination, a compression member havingintegral bearing trunnions, a shoulder on the inner end of thetrunnions, a tensioning member and a strut extending between thecompression and tensioning members, the ends of the said tensioningmember lying ina straight line, and means for spacing said ends from thecompression member.

3. In a brake beam and in combination, a compression member, atensioning member having curved ends of increased thickness and threadedand having an angular bracket member connecting the ends of thetensioning member with the compression member and a strut extendingbetween the tensioning member and compression member.

4:. In a brake beam and in combination, a compression member round incross section having a notch therein, a. tensioning member and a strutembracing both the tensioning and the compression members and havingmeans to engage the notch adapted to prevent turning of the compressionmember.

5. A brake beam of the class described comprising a compression memberprovided with trunnions and having enlargements stantially angle shapedprovided with orifices arranged in parallel relation designed to engagethe trunnions and the ends of the tensioning member, and means forsecuring the tensioning member to the brackets.

7. In a brake beam and in combination a compression member havingbearing trunnions, a tensioning member having ends extendingsubstantially parallel with the trunnions, a strut between said membersanda connecting member embracing the trunnions and the ends of thetensioning member.

8. In a brake beam and in combination a compression member havingbearing trunnions, a tensioning member having ends extendingsubstantially parallel with the trunnions, a strut between said membersand connecting members embracing the trunnions and the ends of thetensioning member, each connecting member being formed with two parallelboxes adapted to receive the trunnion and end of the tensioning member,said boxes being separated by an angular portion.

9. In a brake beam, a compression member having trunnions, a tensioningmember having its ends extending parallel to'the trunnions but spacedtherefrom and terminating inwardly of the trunnions, a strut betweensaid members, and connecting members between the trunnions and the endsof the tensionin g member. 7 V

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

EDWARD CAMPBELL MCDOWELL.

\Vitnesses ARTHUR E. Hnrrnnrmonn,

J. R. BRADY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

